NFL player just got four A's in his first semester of an MIT math PhD program

Continuing to show he is one of the more unusual — and impressive — players in the NFL, Baltimore Ravens offensive lineman John Urschel announced via Twitter that he received a 4.0 GPA in his first semester of a Ph.D. in mathematics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

"My first semester in school in nearly three years. Four PhD classes at MIT. Four A's. The streak continues!!!" Urschel tweeted.

My first semester in school in nearly three years. Four PhD classes at MIT. Four A's. The streak continues!!!

He earned his bachelor's degree in three years at Penn State and spent his senior year working on a master's degree in mathematics, while being paid by Penn State to teach Integral Vector Calculus Trigonometry.

He won the "Academic Heisman" in 2013, an honor given to college football's top scholar-athlete.

He noted, however, that his ability to separate football from math was one of self-preservation.

"If I'm thinking about math on the football field, this is going to get me killed," he told AMS.

"So that's just survival instinct. And when I'm doing math, it's all-encompassing and I'm 100% in it, and there's really nothing else to think about when I'm doing math," he said. "I love mathematics, I love the elegance, I love the challenge, and so that's been natural for me."

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NFL player just got four A's in his first semester of an MIT math PhD program

CHARLOTTE, NC - JANUARY 17: Marshawn Lynch #24 of the Seattle Seahawks looks on before the NFC Divisional Playoff Game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on January 17, 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Ronald C. Modra/Sports Imagery/Getty Images)

✌🏿 https://t.co/wesip4IhOR

FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 24: Jerod Mayo #51 of the New England Patriots reacts after he sacked Matt Moore #8 of the Miami Dolphins in the second half at Gillette Stadium on December 24, 2011 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

RETIRING A PATRIOT.

BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 27, 2015: Tight end Heath Miller #83 of the Pittsburgh Steelers watches the action from the sideline during a game against the Baltimore Ravens on December 27, 2015 at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. Baltimore won 20-17. (Photo by: Nick Cammett/Diamond Images/Getty Images)

DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 25: Calvin Johnson #81 of the Detroit Lions looks on from the sidelines during the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field on October 25, 2015 in Detroit, Michigan. The Vikings defeated the Lions 28-19. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/Detroit Lions/Getty Images)

Calvin Johnson retires from the National Football League: https://t.co/8YgcYxLjNS https://t.co/IdC1yIMX8R

CHARLOTTE, NC - OCTOBER 25: Jared Allen #69 of the Carolina Panthers reacts after a sack of Sam Bradford #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles during their game at Bank of America Stadium on October 25, 2015 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Panthers won 27-16. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

Riding off into the sunset https://t.co/wZXovseGKS

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - AUGUST 8: Corey Wootton #99 of the Minnesota Vikings looks on during the fourth quarter of the game against the Oakland Raiders on August 8, 2014 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the Raiders 10-6. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)

Thank you all for the support! https://t.co/wHQqWkAirF

DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 07: Logan Mankins #70 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers warms up prior to the start of the game gainst the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on December 7, 2014 in Detroit, Michigan. The Lions defeated the Buccaneers 34-17. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)

Ex-#Patriots & #Bucs G Logan Mankins was tough, nasty, played through the whistle… and is a great dude when the play ends. One of a kind.

JACKSONVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 13: Matt Hasselbeck #8 of the Indianapolis Colts drops back to pass during a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field on December 13, 2015 in Jacksonville, Florida. The Jaguars defeated the Colts 51-16. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

It has been an honor and a pleasure.
https://t.co/P9dnvll0EP https://t.co/69DlIa9W1y

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 22: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) D'Brickashaw Ferguson #60 of the New York Jets greets fans after a game against the Cleveland Browns on December 22, 2013 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Jets defeated the Browns 24-13. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Thank you for the numerous messages of support. It has been a blessing to be apart of the NYJ. My letter to you https://t.co/hcIRk41QtM

GLENDALE, AZ - AUGUST 24: Defensive tackle Darnell Dockett #90 of the Arizona Cardinals watches from the sidelines during the preseason NFL game against the San Diego Chargers at the University of Phoenix Stadium on August 24, 2013 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

To the founder of the #BirdGang, @ddockett, congrats on a great career! #ThanksNineO
WATCH»https://t.co/4NIBDcOr8K
https://t.co/h0yNiF72UT

SEATTLE, WA - OCTOBER 18: Wide receiver Ricardo Lockette #83 of the Seattle Seahawks gestures to the crowd during the game against the Carolina Panthers at CenturyLink Field on October 18, 2015 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

I just wanted to make my teammates, family, & The 12th Man proud!!!! #weallwegot